Buffalo NY vs Spokane Valley WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 105,460 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 24.8% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $414,734 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.2% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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